Cricket

India vs Afghanistan 1st ODI Preview & Tips - Gill to lead from the front as India beat Afghanistan in 1st ODI

By Ben Darvill

12 Jun 2026

Ben Darvill 12 Jun 2026

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The pair will meet in three ODI matches
India have never lost to Afghanistan in the ODI format (W3, T1)
Preview, stats & head to head

India's Shubman Gill (Getty Images)

India vs Afghanistan 1st ODI Preview & Tips
Head To Head
India Form
Afghanistan Form

India vs Afghanistan 1st ODI Preview & Tips

India are looking to get back to the One Day International game with a win after slumping to a 41-run loss at the hands of New Zealand in their last game back in January.

Afghanistan arrive with an impressive four-game winning run in their pocket after impressing in the 50 over format.

India have won their last two ODI's against Afghanistan
Shubman Gill is averaging 55.72 in the ODI game

Head To Head

The two nations have met a total of four times in the ODI game, with India winning three matches and one game ending as a tie.

India Form

India's last foray into the ODI game saw them beaten 2-1 by New Zealand in their three-match series. Leading 1-0 after chasing down New Zealand's 300/8 with an over and four wickets to spare, India would have been confident. However, they were bettered with bat and ball by their opponents in a stunning turnaround.

The third ODI perhaps best encapsulated this as New Zealand hammered their way to 337/8 before India slumped to 296 in their chase. This came despite Virat Kohli's stunning 124 from 108. Since then, India have played a lot of T20 cricket via the World Cup along with their Test against Afghanistan, with this leaving little time for the 50 over game.

With attention turning back to the middle format, India are in need of something of a shot in the arm after losing five of their last 10. Admittedly, defeats have come in matches against world class opponents such as Australia, South Africa and New Zealand, but India are so good that this will not be seen as an excuse.

Shubman Gill will be keen to get back to the ODI game after notching 126 in India's Test win over their next opponents. His silky smooth stroke-play will be key as he looks to be the glue in this Indian batting line-up. In truth, India should have far too many big-scoring options for an opponent that will likely struggle to take consistent wickets.

Afghanistan Form

Afghanistan have been outstanding across their last 10 ODI's, with the supposed minnows winning seven of their last 10 matches in the 50 over game.

Particularly impressive has been their last four outings. Wins over Bangladesh by five wickets, 81 runs and 200 runs have seen them build well, but their best win in this time was their stunning eight-run win over England in February of 2025.

Likely to be the key for Afghanistan in this one will be Rashid Khan. The premier spinner in the shorter formats, Khan is well known to most of his opponents as he plays in the Indian Premier League. However, this will do little to settle the nerves of the batters, especially if the pitch provides any help to a bowler that is as miserly as he is dangerous.

While Rashid Khan will likely put some real pressure on India's batters, it is tough to see him having quite enough to carry his side past the best team in the game. India are the best multi-formats team for a reason, and they will not expect anything other than a win in their opening ODI.

Verdict

India v Afghanistan

I am backing Shubman Gill to start the series against Afghanistan with runs as he leads his side to victory.

India

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Shubman Gill

Top India Batter

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